125 Kgs Male Successfully Undergoes Complex Hip Replacement Surgery

A Rare Reported Case Globally

India

healthysoch

New Delhi, July 23, 2025:

In a landmark surgery at Fortis Escorts Okhla Road, New Delhi a 58-year-old male weighing 125 kgs underwent a successful Total Hip Replacement surgery after suffering from severe pain in the right hip since last three years. The pain was owing to a rare ailment – Avascular Necrosis- a serious medical condition in which bone tissue dies due to a lack of blood supply, the team of doctors led by Dr Kaushal Kant Mishra, Director – Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement, Fortis Escorts, Okhla Road, New Delhi, conducted the surgery, which lasted for about 50 minutes. The man’s condition gradually improved, and he was discharged in a stable condition in just 4 days.

Such reported cases are rare owing to the clinical challenges involved in hip replacement procedures performed on significantly overweight patients involving the surgical complexities and the post-operative success. The patient had been experiencing pain in his right hip since 2022. He was diagnosed with avascular necrosis at a city-based hospital in July 2022, where he underwent core decompression surgery.

However, the relief was short-lived, as the patient continued to experience debilitating pain and
difficulty walking. Despite multiple prior interventions, the patient remained in pain – highly dependent
on pain medications, and unable to walk properly and walking with support.

When he presented at Fortis Escorts, Okhla, his pain was so severe that it affected his mobility and
quality of life. Diagnostic investigations, including X-rays and MRIs, confirmed the advanced stage of
Avascular Necrosis. A Total Hip Arthroplasty was chosen as the ideal treatment. Post-surgery, the
patient began walking again, and within a short period, his weight began to decline — dropping from
125 kg to 123.3 kg at first follow-up (1 week after surgery) and reduced to 119.2 kg after 3 weeks of
surgery.
Giving details of the case, Dr Kaushal Kant Mishra, Director, Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement,
Fortis Escorts, Okhla Road, New Delhi, said, “Overweight patients, especially those exceeding 100 kgs,
are often hesitant to opt for joint replacement, and even surgeons approach such cases cautiously due
to the complexities involved. The risk of infection, dislocation and ultimately patient satisfaction is not good.

Positioning the patient, approaching the joint, and intraoperative manipulation are far more difficult
with patients of this weight category. But timely intervention was necessary to prevent lifelong disability. Often, when a patient stops walking due to pain, their weight increases, worsening the condition. Once they regain mobility, weight naturally starts reducing — as we’ve already seen in this case. This case becomes significant, proving that even patients with higher body weight can undergo joint replacement safely if they are otherwise medically fit. The patient was allowed full weight bearing from the next day of the surgery. If left untreated, the patient would have continued to suffer from chronic pain, limping, and long-term osteoporosis and secondary spine degeneration.”

Dr Vikram Aggarwal, Facility Director, Fortis Escorts, Okhla Road, New Delhi, said, “This was a
challenging case, considering the patient was highly overweight. However, due to the timely surgical
intervention and comprehensive care by the team of doctors led by Dr Kaushal Kant Mishra at Fortis
Escorts, he now has a renewed chance at a pain-free, active life. This successful outcome not only
reinforces our position as a centre of excellence but also brings hope to patients across borders who are
looking for advanced, life-saving medical solutions.”